Part 1: Heritage Timelines, Indigenous Representation, and Growing Urgency Dominated the Committee - 11/4/2025

The November 4, 2025 meeting of the Built and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee covered a wide sweep of heritage issues across the County, touching on remembrance, Indigenous representation, heritage designations, permits, and long delayed signage projects. While the meeting followed formal procedure, the discussions revealed growing urgency around timelines, capacity, and the risk of losing heritage protections if action is not taken soon.

Photo: PEC Council

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The meeting opened with confirmation that it was being live streamed and recorded, followed by approval of the agenda and minutes from previous meetings. No pecuniary interests were declared. These early items moved quickly, allowing the committee to focus on substantive matters for the remainder of the morning.

Old Boys Memorial Entrance and Inuksuk Relocation

One of the first major updates involved the gazebo and Inuksuk at the Old Boys Memorial entrance in Picton. Staff confirmed that the gazebo had already been removed and that the Inuksuk would be relocated prior to Remembrance Day.

The sculpture is being moved to the Prince Edward Community Centre, positioned near the entrance to the Huff Estates Arena and adjacent to an existing shadow box display connected to remembrance ceremonies. Committee members generally supported the relocation, noting that the new site provides better context, visibility, and educational value, particularly for younger residents who may not be familiar with the original ceremony.

Questions were raised about what would happen to the now empty space at the Old Boys Memorial entrance. Staff explained that once the Inuksuk is removed, efforts will focus on restoring the garden area and continuing broader revitalization work tied to the Old Boys building. While no final plan was presented, there was agreement that the area should not be left unfinished or neglected.

Veterans Remembrance and Commemoration Task Team

The committee then turned to a proposed Veterans Remembrance and Commemoration Task Team. The goal of the task team is to support inclusive and coordinated efforts to recognize the County veterans. While members expressed strong support for the intent, several raised concerns about scope, workload, and practicality. Questions were asked about the size of the task team, the ability to reach quorum, and whether the committee already has too many responsibilities.

Staff clarified that the task team would operate as a subcommittee, with no delegated authority, reporting back to the advisory committee. Participation would be voluntary, and only those with interest and capacity would be involved. After discussion, the committee approved the terms of reference, with the understanding that adjustments could be made later if challenges arise. The recommendation will now move forward to Council for final approval, timed to align with Remembrance Day.

Indigenous Heritage Representation and Education

A significant portion of the meeting focused on Indigenous heritage representation, led by museum staff. The committee received an update on A Path Forward, the County’s permanent Indigenous focused exhibit, which continues to expand its educational reach. During the 2024–2025 school year, more than 1,300 students and teachers participated in structured visits. Demand has continued to grow into the current school year, with additional visits already booked.

Staff emphasized that these visits are designed as extended learning experiences, not simple field trips. Programming is co created with teachers, school boards, and Indigenous partners, and includes teacher professional development, student workshops, and community education opportunities.

The discussion then expanded to the Public Art Plan, approved by Council in 2024, and the guiding principles for working with Indigenous artists and communities. Presenters stressed the importance of Indigenous self determination, co creation, and trauma informed approaches to commemoration. Committee members responded positively, noting that embedding these principles early is critical as the public art program is still in its formative stages.

Morrison Point Road Heritage Designation

One of the most detailed discussions of the meeting focused on the proposed heritage designation of the Morrison Point Road property.

Committee members emphasized that the designation should clearly apply to the entire farm complex, not just the main house. This includes outbuildings, dry stone walls, and the broader agricultural landscape. Members stressed the importance of precise language in the designation bylaw so that future planners, property owners, and staff do not have to infer intent decades from now.

The discussion was strengthened by the fact that the property owner is also pursuing conservation easements through the Ontario Farmland Trust, tying together agricultural, natural, and built heritage protections. The committee ultimately supported advancing the designation, with staff directed to refine the bylaw language before it proceeds to Council.

Heritage Conservation District Signage

The Heritage Conservation District signage project emerged as one of the most urgent and emotionally charged topics of the meeting. Committee members expressed frustration with long standing delays caused by budget uncertainty, procurement rules, and administrative hurdles. While there is broad agreement that signage is needed in both Picton and Wellington, members acknowledged that time is running short to secure funding before the next budget cycle closes.

After extensive discussion, the committee approved recommendations to Council requesting funding for public engagement and design work in 2025, along with a placeholder amount in the 2026 budget for production and installation. The discussion made it clear that while commitment to the project remains strong, patience is wearing thin.

Heritage Permits and Ongoing Work

The committee reviewed updates on heritage permit applications, including one that was not supported due to significant design concerns and another that was praised as an example of thoughtful heritage improvement.

Members also discussed the implications of provincial legislation that will remove protections from listed properties if they are not designated by 2027. Several speakers emphasized that this deadline fundamentally changes how quickly the committee must act, particularly as the current Council term comes to an end.

Looking Ahead

The meeting closed with discussion of the 2026 meeting schedule and the reality that fewer meetings will take place in an election year. Members acknowledged that while formal meetings may slow down, heritage permits and designations cannot pause, and special meetings may be required to meet legislative deadlines.

Overall, the November 5 meeting reflected a committee increasingly aware that time is no longer a neutral factor. With legislative changes approaching, volunteer capacity stretched, and several major projects in motion, the pressure to prioritize and act is growing.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:27:032. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.